Chicago is a vibrant city, full of incredible people, architecture, food, and more. It’s no wonder you’ve made the decision to relocate to this urban oasis. Whether you’re moving for career reasons or love, Chicago welcomes you with a nod and a wink. This guide is going to help you understand the locals, find a place to live, and settle into the Windy City.
Culture
Perhaps famed local artist, Robert Guinan, put it best when he said, “Let’s face it, this place is alive.” Chicago’s culture is kind of like a pulse.
Chicago is a city in love with the arts – specifically performing arts, surrealism, and music. On any given night, you can find a club filled with talented musicians strumming out a jazz classic. There are clubs dedicated to improvisational comedy, specific forms of dance, and stand-up. It’s only in Chicago that you’ll find funk everywhere you look, including its museums, where colorful surrealism has transferred from the artist’s mind to a canvas, for a vibrant colorful picture.
Moving In
Chicago has a number of neighborhoods, each in a different price range. Unlike other cities, you don’t have to make a fortune to live comfortably in Chicago. This city has a median household income of $43,628. If you are affluent, this is a great place to make the most of the money you do have.
Downtown, you’ll find a number of quality neighborhoods. Roscoe Village is popular, but quite expensive. In fact, it’s one of the city’s most expensive neighborhoods. If you’re looking for more space, at an affordable price, you may want to consider one of the city’s many suburbs.
Packing
Many of Chicago’s neighborhoods feature small houses and apartments, so you may want to pack light. If you’re packing up a large four bedroom home, to move to a small two bedroom Chicago loft, you’re going to have to think about storage. You can store extra items in one of Chicago’s storage facilities, many of which offer options for storing vehicles and climate controlled valuables.
The Job Market
According to Monster.com, the Chicago job market has seen improvement in 2011. In 2011, most job seekers agreed that they were able to find jobs that matched their abilities and education. More than half of those surveyed agreed they were able to find Chicago job opportunities that met their requirements.
Because Chicago is a major world financial center, there are a number of jobs for young professionals. Those who aren’t financial advisors, market traders, and other money-movers can still find a good job in Chicago. There are plenty of employers in these fields as well:
· Transportation, Utilities, and Trade
· Education
· Health Services
· Government
· Hospitality, Leisure, and Service Industries
· Construction
· Other Services
Schools
Like most cities, Chicago is home to a number of public and private schools. There are private schools for wealthy and affluent families, while Catholic schools are designed to provide a religious and traditional curriculum. Chicago’s public schools have strong anti-bullying programs, academic enrichment programs, and an amazing 63% graduation rate for the 2013 school year.
Finding Your Place
Chicago isn’t a cold city, but the population isn’t exactly opening their arms for a hug. This city sometimes wears a smirk. It’s vibrant, but sassy. If you can make it in Chicago, you will be embraced as one of the city’s own. Lots of people move to Chicago from other cities, but lots of people move right out again, when they find they can’t handle the wind and the city’s peculiar attitude. Still, if you’ve got your thumb on its pulse and appreciate its culture, you’ll settle right in.